American Katerra Strengthens Ties with UTSA: A Day of Collaboration and Innovation

On February 26, 2026, we had the privilege of visiting the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) for a full day of engaging meetings and tours. This visit marked an exciting step in fostering long-term collaboration, focusing on internship and career opportunities that align with UTSA’s Classroom to Career (C2C) initiative, which prepares over 42,000 students, including those in engineering and related fields, for real-world success.

The day began with a productive morning session at the UTSA University Career Center. Led by Joshua Amaya, Assistant Director of Business Development, the meeting introduced our team—including President & CEO Toyokazu Yamaguchi and Executive Assistant Milea Amanai—to UTSA’s robust resources for employer engagement. We discussed ways to connect with Roadrunners (UTSA’s students) through Handshake postings, career expos, and speaking engagements. The Career Center shared an insightful presentation highlighting UTSA’s community: 42,000+ students, 1,100 medical residents and trainees, 4,000 faculty, and a vast alumni network of 213,000. Key quick links included recruitment resources, enrollment data, the Career Ready Champions program, and corporate sponsorship opportunities—all tailored to help companies like ours tap into top talent.

In the afternoon, arranged by greater:SATX, we transitioned to the Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design’s School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, and Construction Management (CECM). Joined by Joshua Scott, Senior VP of Workforce and Talent from greater:SATX, we met with esteemed faculty members: Samer Dessouky (Assistant Director and Professor in Civil/Transportation Engineering), Sandeep Langar (Associate Professor in Construction Science & Management), Adolfo Matamoros (Professor in Structural Engineering), and Arturo E. Schultz (Director and Professor in Civil/Structural Engineering). The focus was on exploring two key technical centers: the Construction Science Lab (CSL) and the Large-Scale Testing Lab (LST).
The afternoon agenda unfolded as follows:

1. Introductions (CECM Conference Room, 2:30 – 2:45 pm): A warm welcome and overview of mutual interests in sustainable engineering and talent development.
2. Presentation on American Katerra (CECM Conference Room, 2:45 – 3:15 pm): We showcased our innovative approaches to green steel fabrication, emphasizing how we integrate life cycle assessments and BIM to optimize processes and minimize environmental impact.
3. Tour of CSL Lab (3:30 – 4:00 pm): Exploring the Construction Science Lab, where hands-on learning in materials and management takes place.
4. Tour of LST Lab (4:00 – 4:30 pm): A visit to the Large-Scale Testing Lab, highlighting structural engineering capabilities.
5. Adjournment (LST Conference Room, 4:30 – 4:45 pm): Wrapping up with discussions on future partnerships.

This visit was the culmination of coordinated efforts starting in early February, initiated through an introduction by Junko Goodyear of CSS Holdings Group. We’re grateful to Michelle Schenk, Senior Director of the University Career Center, and Veronica Molina from the College of Engineering for their support in making this happen.

Looking ahead, we’re eager to post internship and full-time roles on Handshake and explore deeper engagements, such as guest lectures or joint projects. UTSA’s focus on career readiness aligns perfectly with our mission to build a sustainable future through innovative steel solutions. Stay tuned for more updates as this partnership grows—together, we’re shaping the workforce of tomorrow!

For more on career opportunities at American Katerra, check our careers page.